This hymn focuses us on Christ by particularly speaking to what we should be finding in Him. “Emmanuel’s name” should charm us. Our spirit, or the church itself (“her”) should hope because of his redemptive, historical work. We should be set free to sing loudly in spite of our musical weaknesses because of his glory. I appreciate Newton’s theological foundations that support but do not overwhelm the loving praise of Christ: He fulfills “the law,” he suffered for me—personally (my room).
But perhaps the line that helps me in worship the most is the sequence of descriptors of Christ, which promote our love of Him. We need this full breadth of who Christ is and who He is for us. He is “Savior,” of course, but also He is “Shield” (Gen 15.1 et al), He is “Sun”—light and heat, He is “Shepherd,” and I will delight to follow Him, He is “brother” (Heb 2.11-12), He is “Husband” (Eph 5, “spousal love of Jesus”), and he is “Friend.”
Put all together, Newton wonderfully overwhelms us with a rich, full view of Christ that is superior to our personal and cultural idols. It is rich full-hearted praise, and yet Newton does all with a goal that our love for Christ would grow. Newton wraps together devotion, worship, and theology in a manner that we need today. A cognitive and theological approach is needed, but overdone it comes off dry. A relevant and compassionate approach is helpful, but overemphasized it leave us with little distinction from the world around us. However, Newton leads us past both cul-de-sacs to deeper praise, worship, and joy in Christ himself.
lyrics
Sweeter sounds than music knows
Charm me, in Emmanuel’s name
All her hopes my spirit owes
to his birth, and cross, and shame.
When he came the angel sang
“Glory be to God on high,”
Lord, unloose my stamm’ring tongue
Who should louder sing than I.
Chorus:
Sing O come O come Emmanuel,
All them prophets and preachers
Your story they gonna tell
Sing O come O come Jesus
Through the sky
Make sure we don’t meet sins demise
Did the Lord a man become
That He might the law fulfill,
Bleed and suffer in my room,
And canst thou my tongue, be still.
No I must my praises bring,
Tho’ they worthless are and weak;
For should I refuse to sing
Sure the very stones would speak.
Chorus:
Sing O come O come Emmanuel,
All them prophets and the preachers and them worship leaders
Your story they gonna tell
Sing O come O come Jesus
Through the sky
Make sure we don’t meet sins demise
O my Saviour, Shield, and Sun,
Shepherd, Brother, Husband, Friend,
Ev’ry precious name in one,
I will love thee without end.
Chorus:
Sing O come O come Emmanuel,
All them prophets and the preachers and them worship leaders
Your story they gonna tell
Sing O come O come Jesus
Through the sky
Make sure we don’t meet sins demise
credits
from Amazing Grace etc.,
released January 9, 2016
Commentary by Pastor Ross Durham
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